Learn from our sad past

By unknown -
21 May 2007 - 02:00

The streets of Khutsong barricaded with stones, police vans on every corner of the township, taxi strikes, pupils and their parents confused about their next move, and consumer boycotts, are reminders of our sad past.

The streets of Khutsong barricaded with stones, police vans on every corner of the township, taxi strikes, pupils and their parents confused about their next move, and consumer boycotts, are reminders of our sad past.

With the advent of democracy in 1994, we had hoped never to return to those memories. If only some official had done his job and not ignored to consult the people concerned before making a decision about their future. The cost to the economy and society could have been averted and the country's image could still be intact.

The ruling party should remember that their silence will only multiply the damage and will lead to the community undermining, if not ignoring, the constitution.

Arresting and calling the community names such as uncivilised or barbaric will not help the situation. Besides, someone in the government made a mistake and should account for it. It is not too late to reverse the blunder. Besides, if the official argument is that North West is still part of South Africa, then why resist reversing the decision? Imposing on communities is no different from what the apartheid system did. The lessons of the past need to be remembered and avoided.